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Contemporary Jazz

Walter Beasley – The Best of Walter Beasley | The Affable Years, Volume 1 by Peggy Oliver

Once upon a time, a particular nine year old received a life-changing gift of a Grover Washington, Jr. CD. From that moment on, Walter Beasley would dedicate his career to shear excellence — all for the love of music and for the legendary saxophonist they call Mr. Magic.

Ah, Dr. Lonnie Smith! He’s one of the legendary jazz musicians still alive and well who continues to record sweet music. What makes Smith most unique – besides his beard and turban – is the fact he’s a jazz Hammond B3 organist. While there are numerous organists in jazz, compared to other instruments, it’s rarer.

I’m going to begin this review by stating two things upfront. This salute to Quincy Jones focusing on his early `70s big band albums Walking in Space (CTI/A&M – 1969), Gula Matari (CTI/A&M – 1970) and Smackwater Jack (A&M – 1971) was THE concert in this summer’s Hollywood Bowl Wednesday Night Jazz Series that I was most looking forward to.

I have to fess up, I thought saxophonist Dave Koz was just another smooth jazz softie. He started out proving me right when he opened his headlining set with the Judy Garland evergreen “Over the Rainbow,” tongue-in-cheekily “overblown” to my expectation. But a funky thing happened at the big finish.

Going into the recording studio to write music, lay down tracks, and such, can be quite a demanding multi-tasking situation which requires weeks, maybe months, to get every last details just the way the artist would envision.

Patti LaBelle sits on a throne as among the greatest R&B to Pop singers recording and performing. However, the list of singers that can authentically swing between the Pop world and the Jazz world is a short one highlighted by Aretha Franklin, Patti Austin, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Nancy Wilson (retired) and the late incomparable Natalie Cole and Teena Marie.

For a much gifted musician as a Julliard graduate while barely a teenager, Damien Escobar was ready to showcase the violin in a hip-hop/classical element with his brother on a weekly national TV talent search.

The musical dexterity of Wes Montgomery has inspired many contemporary jazz guitarists through the years despite his early days as a hard bop musician. One of many musicians who gravitated to this icon was Norman Brown, a huge turning point in studying and performing jazz, despite his earlier influences and interest in Jimi Hendrix and the Isleys.

In the pursuit of a music industry career, it would be a huge advantage for those passionate musicians to start out young while diligently disciplining themselves in the process with proper guidance by veteran mentors.

New Orleans born and bred musician Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah gives a total new meaning to the word, stretch. In 2015, the now 34-year old jazz trumpeter released an album entitled Stretch Music. Furthermore, Stretch Music serves as Scott’s subsidiary of record label Ropeadope.

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Articles direct from T.U.M.S. - Copyright (C) The Jordan Music Group, 2007-2018 | All Rights Reserved. All Press Releases under Copyright from their respective parties. Music Streams are used by permission by Owner/Management of said Record Label(s).